Rope Gaff (collapsible)

ABSTRACT

A fully collapsible, double articulated gaff for retrieving fish when fishing from high bridges, piers and high banks. The device collapses to approximately 5 inches in diameter by 1 inch high to enable it to be carried in a tackle box. It has three double articulated, weighted gaff hooks. The fishing line is threaded thru the overlap in guide mechanism, then lowered to the fishes head gripping it with the gaff hooks, then by pulling up on the rope lifting the device and the fish. Materials and method of construction used to help reduce manufacturing cost.

REFERENCES SITED

1,049,875 January 1913 Krueger 1,982,132 December 1934 Boles 2,235,371 March 1941 Jyrkas 3,095,662 July 1963 Puckett 3,123,930 March 1964 Rimar 3,267,603 August 1966 Josephs et al 3,375, April 1968 Matthews

I, (James L. Eberhart) have invented a new design to alleviate problems of landing fish when fishing from piers, bridges and other high places, where other retrieval devices will not work.

ADVANTAGES

Device easily slips over fishing line to be lowered down to already caught fish, where it grips fish allowing you to pull it up without the possibility of breaking fishing rod, fishing line or loosing your tackle or fish.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a rope gaff consists of a main ring with and overlap closure, foldable rope wires and double articulated weighted gaff hooks.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows front elevation view

-   -   R=rope F.L.=fishing line

FIG. 2 top view with rope wires folded flat without gaff hooks showing

FIG. 3 Bottom view of double articulated weighted gaff hooks without rope wires showing

FIG. 4 detail of wire twists used in the construction of rope gaff

-   -   T=top view S=side view

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

1a—main ring 1b—double articulated weighted gaff hook wires with wires 1c—weights on gaff hooks 1d—gaff hooks 2a—rope wires 3a—double articulated gaff hooks 4a—wire knot 4b—wire knot

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to fishing and is specifically directed to a device and method for retrieving already caught fish on a fishing line and hook by an angler when fishing from bridges, piers, high banks and other high places. This device and method provide a new and useful way to assist in the retrieval of fish in order to lessen the risk of loosing a large fish due to insufficient test strength of fishing line, or breakage of fishing rod.

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate the components in detail. As shown in FIG. 1 the sub assembly 1 a is a large diameter ring with overlapping ends where the fishing line will pass through to the center of the ring. 1 b is the double articulated gaff hook wires that allow the hooks to move and grip the fish head. 1 c is weights that keep the gaff hooks in a downward position. 1 d is the gaff hooks that grip the fish head.

Note: R=rope used to lower and retrieve gaff. F.L.=fishing line and hook. These are only included in drawing to show how assembly looks in operation and are not part of the invention.

In FIG. 2 sub assembly 2 a is rope wires with loops on both ends. These wires are shown in FIG. 2 folded showing part of the gaffs folding ability. In FIG. 1, 2 a shows the rope wires open and the rope through the loops for use.

FIG. 3 sub assembly 3 a shows the double articulated gaff hooks with weights in folded position showing the collapsible ability.

FIGS. 4 4 a and 4 b are shown to illustrate how the wire knots are done, to insure secure attachment to 1 a.

-   -   T=top view S=side view

Operation

As seen in FIG. 1, attach a retrieval rope through the 3 loops in the rope wires, 2 a, on the topside of the device. On the main ring, 1 a, pass the fishing line between the gap in the overlaps, so the rope side is up and the gaff hooks, 1 d, are down. Lower the rope gaff down the fishing line, to the already caught fish. Upon contact with the fish jig rope up and down until it grips fish. Then pull the rope back up retrieving fish and gaff.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

The reader will see that the gaff would make it easier to retrieve large fish you have caught from high places. Furthermore there is no need to worry about breaking your fishing rod/line or losing or tackle or the fish. The gaff is fully collapsible making it easy to carry in your tackle box or other conveyance.

While the preferred embodiments have been fully described and depicted for the purpose of explain the principles of the rope gaff, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of modification and changes made be made there to without departing from the scope of the rope gaff.

I, James L. Eberhart, have tried to comply with 37 CFR 1.50, 1.121 (b) (3) and 1.125. I certify that the substitute specification contains no new matter. 

I claim:
 1. Rope gaff for use by angler fishing from high places where it is hard to retrieve caught fish from comprising: a main ring with rope arms to attach rope to and a overlap in the main ring to allow fish line to pass through with double articulated weighted gaff hooks for gripping the fish, because of this design each gaff hook maintains a straight line connection to the lifting rope insuring a quicker and better hook up.
 2. Rope gaff according to 1 includes the ability to go over sinkers, swivels or other tackle to make contact with fish.
 3. Rope gaff according to 1 has double articulated weighted gaff hooks and foldable rope arms allowing the device to be collapsible and fit into tackle box or other conveyance.
 4. Rope gaff according to 1 through design and construction materials thereby allows it to lift heavy fish with ease. 